Page 51 of Wild About You

‘A-ha! Trespasser!’ I turned to see Lucinda standing there. I glanced at the clock – 8.10.

‘Just came to pick something up,’ I said, resisting the temptation to ask her why she was roaming around like she owned the place. ‘See you later.’

‘Anna…’ There was a new note in her voice that made me turn towards her again. It was then I noticed what she was wearing, and it was decidedly non-Lucinda-like: a white outsized shirt over her jodhpurs. A man’s shirt. Her hair loose, tousled – bed head. The conclusion flickered so quickly in my mind that I know I didn’t keep the look of surprise off my face.

‘Yes,’ she said, biting her lip. ‘I know you’ll be pleased for us.’ She gave a little giggle. ‘Before long, I’ll be here pretty much permanently.’

I was trying very hard to arrange my face into a cheerful expression and had the sense I was failing. ‘Great news,’ I said. ‘But none of my business.’ As her smile faded, I tried to recover it. ‘I wish you and Jamie much joy,’ I said, as though I was in a Jane Austen novel.

‘I’m really interested in the work you’re doing, just as I am in Tally’s management of the art collection,’ she said, a shade too brightly. ‘So I’d love to get involved. In fact, any big decisions, I’d appreciate you discussing them with me as well as Jamie.’

‘Right,’ I said. ‘Right.’

Her smile was acres wide now. Was it my imagination, or was she looking a bit shark-like?

‘I can see I’ve blindsided you,’ she piped. ‘Is it a bit early for Miss Sleepyhead?’

I knew now that my expression was very much not positive and that I needed to get out of there. ‘Totally. Much too early for me,’ I said.

‘Hello yooooou,’ Lucinda cooed. Hugo had just trotted through the office door. He carefully avoided her outstretched hand and went into Callum’s office.

‘He likes me really,’ said Lucinda.

‘Of course he does,’ I said.

I held my head high as I walked away from the house, resisting the temptation to break into a jog. Once I was through the deer park, I pulled out my mobile and messaged Fi.Is Lucinda down to marry Jamie? She just implied she is very definitely the boss of me.

I pressed send and slipped it back into my bag as it tried to find a signal. By the time I got into the cottage the landline was ringing.

‘Anna, it’s Fi.’

I told her what had happened.

‘Crikey,’ she said. ‘I didn’t realise things had gone that far. Jamie hasn’t said a word.’

‘I know we all knew they were seeing each other, but…’ That far. I didn’t think they’d gone that far. ‘It’s weirded me out, that’s all. Sorry Fi. I’ll see you later.’

I felt strange, and I didn’t like it. Just for once, I didn’t turn to the carbs to get me through my unsettled feelings.I did twenty jumping jacks, brewed a pot of coffee, and settled at the kitchen table to focus on work. I ploughed through my emails with ruthless efficiency. Cal had forwarded an email from Jamie saying that he wanted us to put Stonemore forward for a new rewilding award sponsored by a well-known conservation charity. If we were shortlisted it would bring attention to the estate and garner positive publicity, plus possible sponsors for our projects. By half ten I’d absorbed the details of the award and was already drafting our submission.

When my phone chimed, my heart jumped. My startle reflex was getting too much.

ROSEI’m going to an art exhibition preview. There will be champagne. Should I go for 50s vintage look or 80s power broker, shoulder pads, etc.

I smiled and typed a response.

ANNADef 50s. Dior New Look, etc.

ROSEConsider it done.

ANNASend pics. Love you.

ROSEOfc. Love you.

When I put the mobile down, I felt restlessness move over me like an itch. Weirdly, I still didn’t want to eat. Instead I changed into leggings and a t-shirt, laced up my trainers and went out for a quick run to the end of the lane and back. It was agony. When I got back inside, I leaned on the kitchen counter to catch my breath. But the fresh air and birdsong had helped.

I looked at my phone. Three missed calls from a number I hadn’t seen for a while.

Jamie.

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